The Governor of Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa said in Abuja on Friday
that the Maritime University would commence academic activities in Okerenkoko
in October.
The governor announced this to State House correspondents after a
closed-door meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential
Villa. According to him, a committee headed by the Minister of Education in
which Delta State Deputy Governor is a member has been inaugurated to ensure
the smooth take-off of the university.
“We are also aware that a committee has been set up led by the Minister
of Education; my deputy is part of the committee to work out the processes to
enable the maritime university to take off in October.
“It is a step in the right direction. So, I came to appreciate (vice
president) him and to discuss some other issues with him’’, he added. Okowa
commended the vice president, whom he said had ensured peace, particularly in
Delta. “If you notice, in the past few months, there has been peace in Delta State.
So, I wanted to appreciate his visit to Delta State because that definitely
helped us in the peace process. “And just yesterday, the Bill for the Maritime
University, Okerenkoko, passed third reading in the Senate. That is definitely
a very strong plus for us.’’
On the prospects of revenue earnings from modular refineries in Niger
Delta, the governor expressed the hope that such refineries would complement
other regular refineries in the country. The Federal Government had given its
nod for the Gbaramatu Modular Refineries (GMR). However, policies and
regulatory frameworks that would ensure a friendly environment for the
operations of all the refineries are being considered by the government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that there are indications
that government is projecting at least 20,000 barrels per day production
capacity of the first modular refinery that would be licensed to operate. Okowa
said a committee comprising Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, some
management staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, and Deputy Governor
of Delta, were drawing up a blueprint for the modular refineries.
“I think the processes are being
put in place. President Buhari talks a lot about it and I believe the Minister
of State for Petroleum Resources and the NNPC management have been working in
that direction. “Modular refineries are not something that you can just bring
up all in one day or in one month. “I believe that the processes are being put
in place to ensure that we have some of them in some of our communities in the creeks
in the Niger Delta.’’
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